The Governor- General Grand Chief, Sir Bob Dadae has made a special welcome to Members of the seven new electorates.
The new electorates are: Hiri-Koiari (Central); Porgera-Paiela (Enga); Komo-Hulia (Hela); Wau-Waria (Morobe); Popondetta (Northern); Nakanai (West New Britain); and Delta Fly (Western).
When officially opening the 1th National Parliament on Tuesday 30 August, Sir Bob congratulated the Members and told them that this will go down in history.
His Excellency further paid his respect to PNG’s Senior Statesman, one man standing of the pre-Independence era of Leaders, in non-other than Chief Sir Julius Chan, the Governor of New Ireland.
“Sir you deserve to be accorded the next Grand Chief after the passing of the Founding Prime Minister late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
“I also want to congratulate yourself the Speaker and the Prime Minister Hon. James Marape after Pangu Party secured highest number of elected members of Parliament and I invited the party to form the new Government on Monday 8August, 2022.
He told the House that the people mandated their constitutional right to each one of them through the ballot box for a robust, vibrant and thriving democracy.
“You have been given the mandate by our people to lead and make right decisions for our nation in the next five years,” Sir Bob stated.
His Excellency also acknowledged and commended the joint security forces for providing security during the national general elections, and for their role in minimizing election related violence throughout our country.
“I also commend relevant Government agencies, and election volunteers whose hard and untiring efforts enabled the completion of the National General Elections.
“Our country is also indebted to our friendly nations and the Commonwealth who provided extra logistical support.
“The confidence displayed by the voters in our Parliamentarians in this chamber during the first 11th National Parliament on Tuesday 30 August 2022, comes with the belief and conviction that their members will deliver on their respective mandates and work for the collective well-being and the common good of every Papua New Guinean,” Sir Bob added.